Flight conveyer



Aug. 19, 1952 H. w. HAPMAN FLIGHT CONVEYER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 15, 1946 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 H. w. HAPMAN FLIGHT CONVEYER Aug. 19, 1952 Filed June 13, 1946 Aug. 19, 1952 H. w. HAPMAN' FLIGHT CONVEYER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 13, 1946 N9 @3 on N g v H mm Patented Aug. 19, n 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLIGHT CONVEYER Henry W Hapman, Detroit, Mich., assignor, by

mesne assignments, of forty per cent to Hannah Jane Hapman, Detroit, Mich.

Application June 13, 1946, Serial No. 676,546

18 Claims.

This invention relates to conveyors, and in particular, to flight conveyors.

One object of this invention is to provide a flight conveyor capable of turning corners and bends'in a conduit without the need for guide sprockets or pulleys at such corners or bends.

Another object is to provide a flight conveyor capable of torsional twisting, whereby the flights may be gradually inverted or turned around the axis of the flexible member interconnecting them so that they adapt themselves automatically to varying directions and bends of the conduit in which they are installed.

Another object is to provide a flight conveyor, as set forth in the preceding objects, wherein the conveyor consists of horizontal courses but has its guide pulleys or sprockets at the ends thereof disposed in vertical planes, whereby gravity transfer of the conveyed material from the upper course to the lower course will occur before the flights reach the sprocket or pulley, so that the conveyor is not required to force the conveyed material around the sprocket or pulley as prior conveyors have required, with a necessarily great expenditure of power.

Another object is to provide a flight conveyor, as set forth in the preceding objects, wherein the flights are at least partially of elastic deformable material, such asrubber or synthetic rubber and wherein means is provided for the automatic take-up of wear in the conveyor chain to which v the flights are attached.

Anotherobject is to provide a flight conveyor, as set forth in the preceding objects, wherein the links of the conveyor chain to whichthe'flights are attached have relatively large clearances with respect to their pivot pins and wherein elastic deformable.washers, such as rubber-or rubberthe flights become self-aligning with respect to bends or turns in the conveyor conduit, and if necessary, even completely inverted within a relatively short distance, but will turn back to their {proper positions upon approaching a sprocket or pulley, over which they must pass.

'Another object is to provide a flight conveyor,

as set forth in' the preceding objects, wherein the links'and rubber-like washer are urged constantly into engagement with one another by yieldin means, such as springs connected to the pivot pins and engaging the links. 7

Another object is to provide a flight conveyor, as set forth in the precedin objects, wherein flights of elasticdeformable material, such as rubber or synthetic rubber, are clamped between plates or half discs with relatively large clearances between the flights and clamping fasteners so that the disc halves are urged toward one another by spring members connected to the pivot pins and engaging the chain links for urging the links into engagement with elastic deformable washers for the automatic take-up of wear.

Another object is to provide a flight conveyor, as set forth in the object immediately preceding, wherein the flights are particularly well adapted for large diameter conduits and an economy-is efiected in the quantity of the relativelyexpensive rubber or synthetic rubberrequired for the flightsby providing annular bodies of such rub-- ber or synthetic rubber clamped between theperipheral portions of opposing disc-like flights.

Another object is to provide a flight conveyor, as set forth in the object immediately preceding, wherein the annular rubber flight portions are clamped between half discs separated by g aps so that they are interconnected only by the rubber portions" and by the fasteners inserted through holes having a relatively large clearance therebetween, whereby the half clisc s'may be drawntoward one another by theauto'matic wear take-up construction or may tilt relatively to one another transversely to the conveyor chain as the conveyor undergoes torsional 'tw'istin in passing around bends or loops in the conveyor courses. I

Another object is to provide a flight. conveyor,

as set forth in the preceding objects, and also a conveyor chain having link holes of relatively larger diameter than the pivot pins .so thata relatively large clearance exists therebetween, thereby permittin not only torsional twisting 'of'the chain, but also permitting the links o n one side of the chain -to slide lengthwise rela- V tively to the links on the other side of the chain,

so that the chain may become elongated onone side relatively to the other side and thereby execute a bend in a plane containing the axes 'ofthe pivot pins. I 1

Another objectis to provide a flight conveyor,

a set forth in the preceding.-objects, and so constructed and arrangedthat itwill undergj torsional twisting. throughout one or mor ts courses but uch thatthe flightsfwillfn -a ntain 3 their relative positions of tilt in their initial settings at various locations throughout the bends and turns of the conveyor courses during subsequent operation.

Another object is to provide a flight conveyor, as set forth in the preceding objects, wherein the conveyor chain or other flexible connecting and propelling' riiember is connected'eccentrically to the flightsso' that 'theweight of the flights by the action of gravity will tend to hold them in relatively constant angles of tilt at given portions of the bends or turns in the various courses of the conveyor during the entire period of operation thereof.

Another object is to provide'a flight'conveyor,"

as set forth in the object immediately preceding, which is especially well adaptedffor the conveying of tightly packed material around relatively short turns or bends, the eccentric connection of the flexible propelling member, such as the conveyor chain, avoiding the cramping of the material adjacent the chain and hence making :itpossibleto convey such "relatively incompres- "siblemate'rial as met'allic sludge from oil tanks or thelike.

"Other objects'and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the "followingdescri'ption of theaccompanying drawings; wherein:

Figure 1 is a'top planview, partly in section, of a portion of a flight conveyoraccording to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is'a side elevation of "the flight conveyor portion shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a verticalsection along"the-line'33 ""Figdre 4 a front elevationof ajpair' of half discs used in the-flight conveyor'of Figures 1 to "3' inclusive; f

"Figure '5 is atop plan view of a "modification 'of Figure 1 having full'discs insteadof the half discs "shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a vertical section along the'line in Figure-; I II I I "igure '7 isa diagrammatictop'plan view of a runaround conveyor installation employing the -fiightconveyor hown'in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive aslarranged' for gravity transfer of the conveyed niaterials-"at opposite ends of the horizontal runs "thereof; I I I I "Figure 8' is aside elevation; partlyin section, of ne'feonveym installation shown in Figure 7, wing the g'r adual 'twisting'of the conveyor "chainand consequent gradual tilting of "the fflighteas they traverse 'abend inthe conveyor- "cdnduit;

Figure 9 is a vertical section along the line'9-"9 "'in Figure8 show ing means for discharging the f'conveyed' material from oppositely proceeding adfjacent courses of the conveyor into"a"common discharge duct; I I V I I Figureglo is a side elevation of a" second modiflcation of'Figure l showing a'fiight conveyor whim; isjespecially well adapted for installation "in argeldiameter conduits; I I I, I

Figure 11 is a top plan view of the modified conveyor shownin-Figure 0 v Figure lz an enlarged cross-sectional view through "the "modification shown in Figure 10,

taken along the line I2 I2 therein;

figure 13 is a horizontal section taken "along the line 'I3I3;in-'Figure12 I "'"Figure '14 is a fragmentary inclined section akenfalong the line I I I 4: in Figure 12; I v Figure 15 is a perspectiveview of one of'the link 4 brackets for securing the flights to the conveyor chain in the modification shown in Figures 10 to 14 inclusive;

Figure 16 is a top plan view of a wear take-up spring shown in use in Figure 11; and

Figure 17 is a side elevation of the wear takeup spring shown in Figures 10 and 16.

This is-a continuation-in-part of 'my co-pending application Serial No. 605,252 filed July 16, 1945 and now Patent No. 2,557,963 granted June Split'di'sc flight conveyor with, automatic wear take-up and twistable chain Referring to the drawings in detail, Figures 1 to 4 inclusive show a portion of a flight conveyor,

generally designated 9, consisting of a conveyor ed by pivot pins I5 passing-through enlarged h oles I1, I8 and I9 therein. Interposed between the members I-2, I3 and I4 (Figure 1) are resilient washers 20 of elastic deformable materiahsuch 'as rubber or synthetic rubbenwith holes 2 I therein fitting snugly around thepivot pins I5 The link members I2 and I3'and clamping plates Mare preferably formed as stampings, and their holes I'I, I8 and I9 formed of considerably larger diameter than the pivot pins I5"in order toprovide a relatively large amount of play 'therebetween. In other words, the pivot pins I5 may be 'described as having a sloppy fit" 'in 'the' holes I], I6 and I9.

Each pivot pin I5 is provided at one end there- 'of with an enlarged head 22 and atits opposite end with-a transverse hole 23 for receiving aretaining spring member 24 having angled end'p'ortion '25 (Figure 2) passing through the'holes 23 and bent therebeyondto prevent their being accidentally withdrawn. In their normal positions, the members'24 are of arcuate form, as shown by the chain lines in Figure 1. In assembling the chain I II, however,'the members "are sprung into'st'raight-line' form against the adjacent outer links I2 so as to urge the links I2 and I3 and the clamping'pl'ates I4 into engagement with each other and with the rubber like'washe'rs The outer ends of the clamping plates I4 are bent in oppositedirections(Figure 1) toprovide semi-circular portions'or half discs 26 (Figures 3 and 4) having holes'2I for receiving fasteners 28 by which the flight portions '29 are clamped between adjacent pairs of disc halves 26. The

flight portions 29 are of elastic deformable material, such as rubbero'r synthetic rubber, and'are providedwith enlargedholes 30 for recei-vi-ngthe fasteners 28 and permittingarelatively large 1 clearance therebetweenfor the take-:up of wear,

as hereinafter explained. For'example, in one such installation the flight "holes '36 were org-g inch diameter to 'receive'& inch =bolts; thereby providing a inch'clearance. Threaded -0n-the ends of the fasteners-28am nuts 3] which are tightened to finger tightness after which the outer ends of the fasteners 28 are hammered to enlarge them in rivet fashion so as to prevent the nuts 3I from dislodgement' and loss. 'Thefflight portions 29 are also provided with rectangular notches 32 for'the' passage of the inner links I3 disc 26 is also provided with a transversely-extending notch34 immediately below the adjacent edges 35 of the half discsv 2B. I

Figures 7 to 9 inclusive show a typical installation wherein .the flight conveyor .9 is mounted in a conduit system, generally designated 36 and consisting of vertically arranged housings 3! and 38 interconnected by bent conduits 39 and 40 respectively. Mounted in the housings .31 and 38 are shafts 4i and 42 carrying sprockets 43 and 44 meshing with the conveyor chain I0. One of the shafts, preferably 4 I, is driven by a motor and reduction gear unit of conventional design (not shown), and take-up for slack in the conveyor 9 is accomplished by moving one of the shafts away from the other, as indicated by the elongated slots 45. This take-up mechanism is likewise conventional and well known and its. details form no part of the present invention.

The bent conduit 39 consists of a straightportion 45 leading from the bottom part of the housing 37 to a trough-like conduit portion 47 (Figures 6 and 8) having a cover portion 48 at the top thereof. The cover portion 48 is provided at intervals with apertures 49 connected by conduits 50 to hoppers 5I. Slidable into and out of the conduits 59 are valve members 52 (Figure 8) shown diagrammatically and permitting the cutting off of any one of the hoppers 5| from discharging through its opening 39 into the troughlike portion ll. Below one of the apertures 49, the trough-like portion 4! is provided with an opening 53 (Figure 8) through which the material conveyed drops into a casing 54 and thence through a vertical conduit or downspout 55 to a weighing scale (not shown) or to other means for transporting or utilizing the conveyed material (not shown). For example, the hoppers 5I may consist of the lower ends of coal bunkers in which coal is stored for conveyance by the conveyor 9 to the conduit 55 for Weighing or further transporting. The installation shown in Figures '7 and 8 may thus be used in a power house where an accurate record is kept of the amount of-coal consumed. It, may also be used in any other establishment where it is desired to draw material from different storage hoppers or bins and convey it to other locations.

Beyond the trough-like portion 49, the bent portion 39 continues in an upwardly inclined portion 56 leading to the top part of the housing 38. Leadin from the lower portion of the housing 38 is an outwardly bent portion 51 of the bent conduit 49. The latter continues in a substantially rectilinear portion 58 which is approximately parallel to the trough-like portion 41(Figure 7) and which at its opposite end is connected to an upwardly inclined portion 59 leading to the top part of the housing 3?. The straight condult portion 58 is providedwith an openin til near the bottom thereof (Figure 8) which also opensinto the casing 54 so as likewise to discharge material into the conduit 55.

7 Operation rubber like material and its large clearances between the pivot pins I5 and fasteners 28 and their respective holes, makes itpossible. to .twistthe conveyor fi-torsionally in the: direction ;0f.'1il'/S length out of the normal position of Figure 2, in which the conveyor 9 tends to operate. The 0011-, veyor 9 tends to assume the position shown in Figure 2 because of the weight of the conveyor chain I0 and its position near the. bottom of each flight II (Figures 2 and 3). Because of the twisting capability of the conveyor 9, however, the bottom surfaces of the flight portions 29 may swing outwardly gradually when traversing-certain portions of the conduit system 36 and permits the flights I I to become completely inverted within a relatively short length thereof.

Let it be assumed that the shaft 4| and sprocket 43 are driven in a counterclockwise direction so as to cause the conveyor 9 to travel in thedirection of the arrows (Figure 8), and that the hoppers'l are filled. with the material to be con veyed, such as coal; Let it be further assumed for purposes of illustration that it is desired to draw coal from the first opening 49 (Figure?) and convey it to the weighing machine below the conduit 55 beside the third opening 49.

For mechanical reasons, it is obviously necessary that the conveyor chain I9 lie adjacent the rims of the sprockets 43 and 44 in order for it to mesh with the sprocket teeth. Hence the flights ll must project outwardly therefrom with their base portions 33 also adjacent the sprocket rim. When the flights I I reach the horizontal portions 47 and 58 of the conveyor system 36, however, they should be upright with their base portions 33 adjacent the bottom of the conveyor conduit. Since the weight of the conveyor chain I0 is applied eccentrically of the flights II, being connected thereto near their bottom portions 33, it will tend to cause the flights I I to assume these upright positions. Moreover, the resilientwasher and loose-fit construction previously-described permits the conveyor chain to twist torsionally in the direction of its length in order to permit the flights II to turn into upright positions.

In particular, as the flights I I pass around and leave the underside of the sprocket 33 and depart from the lower portion of the housing 37, they are inverted, with the chain I 0 uppermost. Since the bottom of the conduit section 46 is of arcuate cross-section and the flight portionsZQ are also substantially circular, the weight of the chain I0 applied eccentrically to the flights II gradually turns them around as the conveyor 9 traverses the conduit portion 46, as shown at the left-hand end of Figure 8. Consequently, when the flights I I enter the conduit portion 4?, they areupright even though they were inverted when they left the sprocket 43.

As the conveyor 9 passes beneath the first hopper opening 49, and its slide valve 52 is open, the material drops down into the conduit portion '48 and is conveyed toward the right in the direction of the arrow (Figure 7). Even though the flights II are smaller than the cross-sectional area of the conduit portion 47, the material is nevertheless conveyed, either directly by '-the flights I I themselves or by induced flow resulting from the motion of the directly conveyed particles being transmitted to the particlesof-material out of direct contact with the flights- I I. As a consequence, the materialmoveszalong the conduit portion 47, passing beneaththe second opening 49 (Figure 7), the slide valve'52 of which is assumed to be closed. As it passes beneath the third opening 49, however, the 'major partof the conveyed material. drops downwardly thro'ugh the opening .53. (Figure 9) in the bottom of the conduit portion- '41 1 into the 'casing 5d and thence downwardly through the -'c'onduit- 55 to the weighing machine or other apparatus :by which it is'processed or transported.

In a'ctuat practice, it is found that not all of the material drops down through the opening '53 b'1it'a=certain portion of it :is conveyed "onwere, due to the tendency of the particles to cling-"together. The undumped material thus conveyed passes onward through the remainder of 'the -conduit portionj 31 and is conveyed upwardly through thelinclined conduit portion 56 into i'he upper'porti'on of the housing =38. Before this' material reaches the sp'rocket M, however, it 'p'asses through" a portion of the housing 38 where it is unsupported by any 'conduit, hence th material drops to the bottom of the housing '38 by the action oi. gravity. Thus the chain III with its flights II'passes around" the sprocket l i without :being impeded by the presence '01 the material, as in prior conveyors where'horizo'ntal sprockets are employed.

, Theg ravity transfer of :materialprior to reaching the sp'rocket, according 'to 'the present inventi'onjresul-tsin a 'great'saving of power. Thus a smaller m'otorcan be used th'an in prior installations where the material 'has'to be carried-forcibly around the sprocketancl conduit.

The' necessity previously of carrying the material' around the' sprocketand'conduit in so-called run-aroundconveyors'iwhere 'the conveyor and conduit liein'iagenerallyhorizontal planes, has consumed a' greatamount of power because of the packingof the materials and their resistance to being forced'raround' a curved'path. Furthermore,-:t.theconnection and pivoting of the conveyor 'c'hain iS near the :bottoms of the flights I I f-urtherrreduc'es the resistance of theiparticles in traversingtbends, sincethe flights do not have the Ltendency to compress the material on the sidea'djacent thesprocket as in conveyors where the chain is connected and pivoted near thecen- 'ters of the flights, and'hence where the spaces between the L'flights diminishes adjacent the "sprocket or bend. InIthe present invention, the spaces betWeen-tthe flights do not diminish near :thersprocket, butincrease near their outer ends :asrtheflightspass' around a bend or a sprocket and-the-material actually hasa larger space whichit' may occupy instead of a more-restricted zspace-zas ainiprior center connected conveyors.

This is-"especiallyimportant in the conveying of :denselypacked, incompressible material; such as powdered "cast/iron in cutting fluid sludge.

.:I'he 'fli-ghts II emerg from the bottomof'the sprocket 44 in inverted positions as :shown at .the-right-hand end-of'Figure 8, and immediately enter theoutwardly' bent portion51 of there- :turn"course- 40 of' the conveyor conduit 39 (Figure' '7)., .Here again-"the resilient-washerend *loose' fit construction of 'the conveyor 9 causes the chain ID to gradually turn the conveyor flights II :around so asto revert them to their upwardly directed, positions -as they enter and traverse the straight conduit portion 53. the

conveyor flights pass the opening 60 (Figure .9) .'-the'major p0rtion of the remaining material Which'was not dumped-through the opening 53 is -now--dumped through the opening 6U.=

-The conveyor-isthus substantially cleared of itsmaterial-i-as itpasses along the remainder of -the s'traightconduit portions-58 and upithebent portion 59 "into the housing? 3Ti-nt01 engagement with the-sprocket 43.-- Since thei-conveyortfiights flqIi rand cha-iniIfirare'now inuth'ei'r propen-posi-tions ;7'

for-"engagement with i theisprocketofl the; flights t I -doxnot requir iinversionras ztheytipass' through the inclined portion- 559,lhenceitorsional@twisting is-n'ot required duringthis partof the run. The operation thenceforth: proceeds in the manner lpreviousl-y' descrilbed, iasithe conveyor 9 makes :anoth'ericircuitwof the conduit system 39.

Should it? happen, however, that :the downspout 55 (Figurei'Q) is full ofmaterial whileimore material being conveyed .to it by -the conveyor 9, the latter willrmerely convey .the material onwardibyitheinclined-portion 56 into the housing 38' "where -gravity "transfer." againoccurs before reaching the :sprocket Mpthe materials ibeing conveyed onward through thereturn course 540. If the downspout' 55 has been clea-red byIth Ttime the material reaches ithe opening :60 .in ":the straight portion 58 of the :return :course' 54 0, 1' the material drops down-ward through "i the .1 downspout- 55. w

:If,:. .howevergthe riownspout" 55 "is still full of materiel,' the'.material' in the "straight portion=58 issrmerely conveyed-onward =through the return course'Ml, upitheinc'linedaportion 59 thereof into the'rhousingi 31. He're. again the material' drops down to' the"bottom-o f the housing '31 before reaching the sprocket- 13 and is picked upagain by'theifli'ghts I Liaiter theyleave'the sprocket- 33 and passes .int the conduit portion '39 again. Thus-when the downspout 55 is run of material, the: material in theconduit courses '39 and 40 merely-"is conveyed around the circuit without beingl'dumped, yet only-a small-amount of power is-"consumed because= of the gravity. transfer of the'materialin the housings 31 and'38 before the sprockets fi3 and 44 are reached. I While this occurs, the conveyor flights I I are invertedand 'reverted -in' the 'manner described above (Figures 7 and S) as they pass through the various portions of the conduit system 36. .The conduit system 3o shown in Figures 7 and 8 is :shown :for convenience as-asimplified system without bends- 'o-rhturns other I thanthose necessary to present the chain I9 and flights I I properly'to-the peripheries and teeth of the sprockets 43t and i44. It-will be evident, however, that the resilien '-was'herloose-'fit construction of theconveyor 9 permits other 'vbends or turns to be made in the conduit system 39 as necessitated by the conditions ofthe particular building, locations of: machinery, locations of sources of supply and discharge and other factors peculiar to the particular installation. Suchbends and-turns have heed-additionally used'in installations actually made, and the-resilient-washer and loose-fit construction of the 'conveyor -9 enables-it totraverse these whends rwhile 'the conveyor flights I I and chain I fl are 'inverted 'or reverted as necessitated lby thesebends. V

The *presentinvention also avoids the necessity "of 'having toconvey" the materialthrough a complet circuit "of the conduit system before dumping it into a gate or-opening Whichwas filled with material when the conveyor made its previous circuit. The dual discharge arrangement shown inEEigure -9i necessi'tates'the' traverse or approximately :only' half :of the. circuit provided that the downspout :55; has been cleared by the-time the undurnped; material :arrives against the downspout '55.

The ;.flights I I; however; will maintain their initialzsettings i'asxregards inversion -or reversion while they areitraversing the system, -a-nd the pivot ipills' will l-remain substantially. at right anglestoatherplanefof the turner-bend. Inother words, in the conveyor of the present invention, it is not critical how the conveyor is installed in the conduit system because it will emerge properly when it reaches the sprockets or pulleys over which it must pass. The present conveyor, therefore, is self-aligning in the conveyor system in which it travels, and does not require the close tolerances, accurate fits and precise alignments of prior conveyor systems. It also does not require that the sprockets and conveyor courses remain in substantially the same plane, as in prior conveyor systems, particularly runaround conveyor systems.

Moreover, the resilient-washer construction enables the conveyor to twist torsionally in-the direction of its length, yet the rubber-like washers will still protect the pivot pins because they will expand to fill the spaces between the links and will therefore keep abrasive materials out of the pivotal connections of the conveyor chain and flights.

The present invention also provides for automatic wear take-up in the link pivots while keeping abrasive material out of the latter. This results from the resilient washers of rubber-like material between the members I2, l3 and 14 (Figure 1) and by the spring members 24. As wear occurs, the spring members 24 push the members l2, l3 and I4 more closely together, while the spring members 24 tend to assume their original arcuate positions shown-in chain lines in Figure 1. At the same time, the edges 35 of the disc halves 2B are permitted to move more closely together because of the loose fit between the fasteners 28 and their holes and also because the nuts 3l are merely finger-tight upon the fasteners 28. At all times, however, the rubber-like washers 20 prevent the entry of abrasive materials into the pivotal connections because they expand or contract according to the width of the gap which they fill.

Modification with full disc clamping plates The modification shown in Figures 5 and 6 is generally similar to the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 4 and 7 to 9 inclusive, except that the half discs 26 are replaced by full discs. In particular, this modification generally designated 6| consists of a conveyor chain and conveyor flights, generally designated 62 and 63 respectively. The conveyor chain 62 consists, as before, of outer and inner links 64 and 65 respectively, the latter being separated by spacing collars 66. The links 64 and 65 and collars. 66 are mounted upon pivot pins 61 with a considerable clearance or loose fit between them similar to'that shown and described in connection with Figure 1. Elastic deformable washers 68 of rubber-like material are interposed between these various members and they are compressed by the urging of similar spring-retaining members 69 inserted in holes H3 in the ends of the pivot pins 67, which at their opposite ends have enlarged ends H.

The outer links 64 are provided with outwardly bentportions 12 having enlarged holes 73 therein for receiving clamping bolts 14 and providing a lose fit therebetween. For example, in one such installation, the holes 73 were of inch diameter to receive clamping bolts 14 of inch diameter. The clamping bolts 14 also pass through clamping discs 75 and i6 and also through holes 1'! in flight portions 78 of elastic deformable material, such as rubber or synthetic rubber.

Threaded on the outer ends of the Clamping bolts Y 10' 14 are nuts 19 threaded to finger tightness, as before, and secured in position by mutilating and enlarging the ends vofthe bolts 14. The discs 15 and 16 are provided with U-shaped notches 80 vwith inwardly-turned portions 8| for the passage of the inner links 65, and for more securely retaining the flight portions 78 in position.

The operation of the modification shown in- Figures 5 and 6 is generally similar to the prin-; cipal form shown in Figure 1, in that the conveyor 6| is also capable of torsional twisting in the direction of its length so that it can follow a conduit system with various bends and turns-similar to the conduit system 36 in Figures 7 to 9, and can also adapt itself to the use of sprockets moving in a plane at an angle to the general plane of the conveyor conduit. Since the clamping discs 15 and 16 are not split, however, automatic wear take-up is effected by the loose fit between the angle portions 12 and the fastening bolts 1'4 so that as the outer links 64 are'urged" toward one another by wear, thebent portions 12 are likewise pulled inwardly toward one an-' other, this motion being permitted by. the loose fit between the holes (3 and clamping bolts 14.

Modified conveyor for large diameter conduits The modification shown in Figures 10 to Him elusive is similar in principle to the forms of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 9 inclusive except that it is particularly well-adapted for installation in conveyor conduits of large diameters. This modification makes it possible to economize on the amount of elastic deformable material used in the flights, synthetic rubber in such sizes of flights being an expensive factor ifsolid disc-like v flights are to be used. The modification of Fig ures 10 to 1'7 inclusive, accordingly, employs annular flight members of rubber-like material instead of the substantially solid discs employed. in

the previous form of the invention.

In particular, the modified conveyor, generally designated 82 consists of a conveyor chain and flight units, generally designated Stand 84 respectively. The chain 83 consists, as beforeyof outer links 85 and innerlinks 86 mounted with aloose fit upon pivot-pins 81 and having'rubberlike sealing washers 88 therebetween. The pivot' pins 8 are provided with heads 89 adjacent'to which are elongated bent springs 90' (Figures 16 and 17) having eyes 9| at their opposite ends forv encircling the pivot pins 81. The opposite ends of the pivot pins 87 are provided with transverse holes 92 (Figure 13) for receiving cotter pinsor other suitable retaining members 93, backed by washers 94 of metal or other suitable material. V

The chain 83 is assembled in such a manner Q that the bent springs as are flattened against their adjacent'outer links 85 (Figure 11) thereby placing the rubber-like washers 88 in compression. As wear occurs, however, the bent springs 90 tend to assume their bent shape shown in Figure 16, thereby automatically taking up wear occurring along the pivot pins 81. The'resilient washers 88 maintain a tight seal as before and' The inner links'tt, however, are of the form j shown in Figure 15 and-are stamped from single; pieces of metal or othersuitable material. The:

the

acoa'eeaz 111'? links 28 fiivhalve' enlarged holesz'fi *for; receivingrthe pivot pinsa-B andvaret alsoprovidedfwithitupwardlyrs extendin --portionseSfirhavingetheiit endszfilvbentn laterally rat rightatanglesm The: .endssQ I; are i-pro 12 In; all :01?" theuformss of the .-invention-; :the. rub-. I ber-likewashers :between thevarious links ofrthe; chain :can be assembledin a pre-compressed-com dition; When: sotprecompressed; they will take vided with holes;98nfor receivingl'zclainpingsboltsr 5 upna zgreateramountof .wear and also will con-.-

99 :with a loo'se fit'and tlarg'e; 2016832311085? thereebetween'dFigure l 3):. The clamping boltsflfl passni also :thr'ough similarlyienlarged holesrl 0mm roppos'it'ely facingi'clampingldisc'haZ1ves:.:-I G I? having tinue =to=fill' the gapsand: exclude abrasive materials from the-pivot 'pins when traversing rela tivel-y ,shortnbendszof the conveyor conduits;

In some-installations, it= willzberfound that the.

peripheral portion'sf l 0 2 ofloppositelyr curvediconrubbers or rubber-likes. sealingawashers ::and .;the:

fi'g uration sothat iniassembly theyiforme an zany nular re'cess ior :receivings and gripping .dzhe'iiney ne'i part 03 ofannular fiigh'tiportionsizl ulifsTheli part's' l 0'3 'are of"cross sectionslightly greater than looser: fit construction toi 'jtheechai-n; resultingfromthe. excessively large. clearances'provided at: the outset between the pivot pinsmanduchai-ni links; :are useful awithout -flights,- -such as; forx-exsemi-enemas so as'-toi: be efieetively retained .iin: ample; onzthei slow 'speed'rendxof azpoweredriving.

position: bythe-gripping a'ctioniofetheaouterredgeszr I 0523f the peripheraliportionsal D-ZJLThGiOIamPiIIE-I bolt's s fl are" providedwith wash'ersxl 0 E: andelnuta 1: I 01 threaded on-the ends'thereof'toifihger *-tight/-:=

mechanism or. speed reduction? mechanism: In': such inst'ances;;- thev'sealing" washerszprote'ct the pivotalaconnections of the chain ":from 2 the j enee trance: of; .ior'eignt. matter. .suchzas abrasiverparez nes's' andseoured by upsettingthe endsofzthe b'oltsxzo'l iticles, ,while permittingva certain. amount-oi-self 99 3s before:-

The-half If discs 40 l are thusiseparatedratrtheir i' edg'es i 08 by ga'ps 1fl extending'zentiiiely'through theflight units 'fifi The ha'lf-discs r-l 01; are cutfl alignment during operation.

lnzother installations; where soft noneabrasive materials a are :being' conveyed :such' as lpowdl'e'redz soft coal or" graimi it will asometimesrzberfound away: as at l lll trycollectivelyiprovide a'passage'si iE-fea'sible toromitzthe sealing-washers and also pos way,for the inner. .links 86. The annular flight portions lllfat their opposite ends'are provided with .r'etainingsipi'n's'if l H extending Qtherethrough and servingztm anchor :the- 'flight port-ions? 105 t! sibly' to:- employ solid -flightsof non defdrmable material, :such as: cast-iron;x preferably: mounted eccentrically "andthereby ,iobtairr the advantages: of torsional-twistings-oflthe chain: and zurging'iofri theediscahalvesr'l 0 |=xiuring-tthe assembly father; the-flightsri-nto upright positionswithout the nee conveyorir. Aitenzthe. oonveyor*:.B2-has@been in.-:- staile'd irr'a 'conduit; thefwa-lls of:the:-cond.=uitn-itse1 f tendstozretaina the flight-portionsd ll4i-withintthe hazli'zdiscjsportionsd flk-evenT-though the-#1311184 I I: slrouldzfailaorrbelmissingaa fie aoperation 'of rtheavmodification shownin Figure'szlmto' 17? inclusive'i's also: similar to thatiof theiormscofathinvention ShOWItiIi Figures 'l to: 9 -inc1u'sivee1 The :ehainz83 "has the-samequalitiesw anditadvantagesi: of :Ttorsion'al'f twisting sin the wdi rection of its length-rand? also rautomatic weanf take-auneand :protection ofwthe 'pivot pins :81 by reasonrofztharubberlike "washers 8 8. Inadditiony then-i disc rhalveLs l 01 r canrztwist 'slightlyrrelativelyi:

tdtsoneianotherxbecause of thei'enlai'gedrholes:98:145s

andj Mfeandrthe "resilience: :of *the :annular formof'."tlie:-'fiight"pdrtionsi "I Mrisofr th'at 'ther gap 1:! 09? between-dthem zsili'igure .12 I can" operr or close slightlyc-as s'the necessityi'demandsw The --conveyor:

in? cani alsh:traverse-i relatiyelyxshortibends 'ors. turns andrzcan likewise; be" zused-r in arhor-iz'ontala runaround'? conveyor: "of theatype eshowm in l 'ig s uresefl and:?8 ,"+usingwertically disposedisprocketsi' essity of protecting:=the =,pivotal"connectionsv. In

still iother installations, sealing washers of elastic's deformable material are-found usetul' while fem-"1. ployingqfiightsnot-l made-soft: elastic 1 deformable :materiaLbut madeofmetallic or plga'sticma-terialsiiwhich are much imorerigid -zeither.with: convenw tiona-l clearances-in thapivotal'. connections so asto .1 efiect protection: 0f--the--pivots. alone or-iwith' excessively loose clearances. in orderto efiect not 7, only this protection butl-alsotto perm-it torsional twisting with the advantages thereof as previouslystated.

While- I have shown 'and described-my invention in detail, it is to be understood thatthe sameis to be limit'edflonlrby the'iappien'ded"claims, for many changes may tbe' made" withoutfdepa'rting fr0m*the spirit and scope of my invention. J

What I "claim 'is':'

1. A'flight conveyor comprising a drive chain 82; likeidahe'. :co'nveyo'rs:previouslyflescribed here- &5: having pivot members and links mtemonnected thereby, saidlinks'being'freely slidable axially along;said""pivot membersxsealing members of elastic deformable material mounted on said pivot" members in sealing'enga'gement with said links; conveyor-flights connected to said chain at inter= wiihnhir'ettndam'advantages?gravitytmnsi55$ valstherealong; and spring compression devices fer ofimateriali All-zthedor'ms of conveyors accnrdingietoxtlie present-' inventionrare 'easilyicle'anede so=thatitheyTf caneacc'om'modate: and convey tdifferentzmaterialsii' according to=the neeessityrof the-z moment orithr season ofi'the' yearn". Forrexampleninzcertain sea sons $01185 type rofw materiakmay bemonveyed and in nthenseasons, anothentyperof materialftherei byz-adapting'gthe' conveyomto a'ivarying demands connected to said pivot members and engaging said linkdintermedizite said pivot members for urging said sealingmembers into sealing engage;

80% ment with said links.

2. A- fiight 'conveyon'comp'rising a drive chain's having pivot-members and links interconnected l fo fi t m t Bec'm f he lar therealong, conveyor-flights mounted between said clearanceswbetweenithe pivotrpinsa-andi linksifi and? 8 67; as rweil (as: linathe". rprevioiislyizdescribede forms. of .tlieinvent'ioni' therlinks on one 'sidez'c-ane move in a idirectioniengthwise' ofitl'i chamit a:

pairs of clamping members, fasteners interconmeeting" said clamping members and said flights; elastic-deformable sealing members mounted 'on a said "pivot membersin'sealing engagement with slightfiextent inrtraversingffia' b a so that th said "links; said iclampingmembers having exces-' sively 'enlarged holes loosely receiving said fa'steners, an'd' yielding compression'members engagilig and urging= said links axially alo'ngsaid pivot y members into sealing engagement with saidseal 76 in'gimembers wliereby to pr'ovide automatic'weartake-up between said pivot members and said links-while sealing said pivot members against the entrance of foreign matter.

3. A flight conveyor, comprising a drive chain having pivot members and links interconnected thereby, said links being freely slidable axially along said pivot members opposed pairs of clamping members connected to said-chain at intervals therealong, conveyor flights mounted between said pairs of clamping membera'fasteners inter-l connecting said clamping members and said flights, elastic deformable sealing members mounted on said pivot members in sealing engagement with said links, said clamping members having excessively enlarged holesloosely receiving 1-4 laterally-spaced clamping members secured by said fasteners side by side to one side of each flight with a gap'therebetween, elastic deformable sealing members mounted on said pivot'members" in sealing engagementwith said links, said flights having excessively enlargedholes loosely receiving said fasteners whereby to provide automatic wear take-up between said pivot members and said' links while sealing said pivot members against the said fasteners, and spring devices connected to said pivot'members and engaging and urging said links axially" along said pivot members into sealing engagement with said sealing members whereby to provide automatic wear take-up between said pivot members and said links while sealing eign matter.

said p'vot members against the entrance of for- 4', A flight conveyor for a conveyor conduit of said chain, said chain being connected to said clamping members eccentrically of said flights whereby the weight of said chain rotates said clamping members and flights into upright positions while said retaining elements retain said links and pivot members in assembly. I

5. A flight conveyor comprising a drive chain having pivot members and links interconnected thereby, said links being freely slidable axially along said pivot members, clamping units connected'to said chain at intervals therealong',-conveyor flights mounted on said clamping units" fasteners connecting said flights to'said clamping units, each clamping unit including a pair of laterally-spaced clamping members secured by said fasteners side by side to'one 'side of each flight with a'gap between the adjacent edges of said clamping members, elastic deformable sealf ing members mounted on saidpivot members in sealing engagement with said links, and compres sion members engaging and holding said links and said sealing members undercompression in sealing engagement with one another, said flights having excessively enlarged holes loosely receivingsaid fasteners whereby to effect movement of said clamping members toward one another-and provide automatic wear take-up between said pivot members and said links while sealing said pivot members against the entrance of'foreign matter.

6LA flight conveyor comprising a'drive chain having pivot members and links interconnected thereby, said links being freely slidableaxially along said pivot members conveyor flights, clamping units connected to said chain at intervals therea'long, fasteners associated with said clamp ing units, each clamping unit including a pair of entrance of foreign matter, and spring devices connected to said pivot members and engaging sealing'engagementwith said links.

said links for urgingsaid sealing members into '7. A flight conveyor comprising adrive chain: having pivot 'membersland *links interconnected thereby, said links being freelys'lidable axially along said pivot members'sealing members of' elastic deformable material mounted on said pivot members in sealing engagement with said'links, conveyor'flights connected to said-chain at intervals therealong, said links having excessively-en-J larged holes loosely receiving said pivot members whereby to facilitate torsional twisting of said chain and lateral bending thereof in the planes of said pivot members, and compression members,

engaging and urging said links axially along said pivot members into sealing'engagement with said sealing members. r

8.1 A-flight conveyor comprising a drive chain having pivot members and links interconnected thereby, said links; beingffreely slidable axially along saidpivot members opposed pairs of clamping members connected to saidichain at intervals therealong, the peripheries of said'clamping members having annular grooves therearound, annular conveyor flights secured in said grooves between said pairs of clamping members, fasteners:

interconnecting said clamping members, elastic deformable sealing members mounted on said pivot members in sealing engagement with said links, and compression-members engaging and holding said links and said sealing members'under compression in; sealing engagement withone another. e I

9. A flight conveyor comprisinga drive. chain having pivot members and links interconnected thereby; said links being freely slidable axially annular conveyor flights secured inv said grooves between said pairs of clamping.members,*fasten having pivot members and links intercomiecte'd thereby, said links being 'freelyslidable axially along said pivot members opposed pairs of clamping members connected to said chain at intervals therealong, the peripheries of said" clamping members having annular grooves therearound, annular conveyor flights secured in said grooves between said pairs of clamping members, fasten ers interconnecting said'clamping members, elastic deformable sealing members mounted on said pivot members in sealing engagement'with "said links, and spring devices connected tosaid-pivotf members and engaging said links for urging'sai'd sealingzjzmembersi: into sealingaenga ement.with

said. links-..

. 1l-.- A..flightconveyor:comprisinga drivechain having: pivot-members and links interconnected thereby;- Jsaid links being freely slidable axially alonglsaidpivot members opposed pairs of--clamping membersiconne'cted to saidchainat intervals therealong; the peripheries of said clamping members :having annular grooves therearound,

annular conveyor flights secured insaid grooves between. said pairszof clamping members, fasten: ers interconnecting .said clamping members, elase tic deformablersealingmembers mounted on said pivot :members sealing engagement with said links,:;.and compression 1 members engaging and holding said links and saidsealing members under compression-insealingengagement with one another; said links having; excessively enlarged holes looselygreceiving said :pivot members whereby to facilitate torsional twisting of said chain: and

lateral bending thereof in; theplanes-of saidi'pivot members:

. 12. A flight-conveyorcomprising 1a drive'chainhaving pivot members and links "interconnected thereby, said links. beingzfreely .sli'dable axially along fsaidlpivot members opposed pairs 'of clamping membersiconnectedjto saidichain :at intervals therealong, the peripheries of said clamping membersahaving annular grooves therearound, annulariconveyor flights secured in saidi'grooves between said pairs of' clamping members, fasten ens-interconnecting said clamping members; ela's-' tic'sdeformable sealing-members mounted. on saidpivot members :in' sealing'engagement with said links,.and "spring devices connected to said pivot members and engaging said links for urging said sealingmembers into sealing engagement with said tlin-ks, said links having excessively. enlarged. holes loosely-receiving'said pivot memberswheree by :to facilitate.- torsional. twisting of said chain andlateral bending thereof in the planes of said pivotmembers;

4 13. A-tfiight conveyor-comprising a drive chain having pivot members and links interconnectedthereby, saidtlinks being. freely slidableaxially alongsaid-pivot members opposed pairs of clampingmembersconnected to said'chain at intervals therealong; the peripheries of said clamping members having-,annularzgrooves therearound, annular conveyorflights secured in said grooves-between saidzpairsxof clamping members, fasteners inter connecting said clamping members, elastic de-z formab'le sealing-members mountedon said pivot members in sealingengagement with said ilinks;

and-gcompression members engaging and-urging:

said-links axially=a1ong saidpivot members, said links havingexcessively enlarged :holes. loosely" receiving said pivot members whereby tofacilitate torsional twisting-of said chain, said chain being connected to said clampingrmemberseccentricallyv of saidrflightswherebythe weight of saidzchain urges: said flights and clamping members in upright positions.

1,41 A flight conveyor apparatus. comprising a' pa-i-r ofv vertically-disposed conveyor housings cated remotefrom one-another, a tubular conduit system interconnecting saidhousings and-having adjacentlydisposed horizontal courses displaced. laterally .from one-another, said conduit-systemhaving outlets therein and upwardly-inclined portions terminating attheir opposite ends in said vertically disposed housings; rotary conveyor supports mounted in said housings on horizontal axes.- of. rotation,- an endless torsionally tw-istable flex": ihle propellingamember disposed in ,:said:;conduit:

system a-nd extending. around said rrotary; sup; ports, and substantially circular fli ts; connected eccentrically to said propellingmember.at interi-= vals therealong. 15. A-.fiight conveyor cated-remote from one another; a tubular conduit system interconnecting said housings and having adjacently disposed horizontal courses displacedlaterally from one another, said conduit system having outlets therein and upwardly-inclinedrpor tions-terminating attheir opposite ends in saidvertically-disposed housings, rotary conveyor supports mounted in said housingson horizontalaxesz of rotation; a'drive chain having pivot members and links loosely connected thereto disposed in said conduit system and extendingaroundasaid rotary supports, and substantiallycircularflights: connected eccentrically to said chain at intervalstherealong.

16. A flight conveyor apparatus-comprisinga pair. ofverticall-y-disposed conveyor housings 'lo-' cated remote from one another, a tubulariconduit system interconnecting said housings and-having adjacently disposed horizontal courses displaced bers of: elastic deformable material mounted -on saidu'pivot members insealing. engagement with said links, compression members engaging' and urging said links axially along said pivot members into. sealing engagement with said sealing-mem bers. and substantially circular flights connected eccentrically tosaid-chain at intervals therealona- 17. A flight conveyor apparatus comprising a pair of vertically-disposed conveyor housings 10+ cated remote from one-another, a tubular conduit system interconnecting said housings and having; adjacently disposed horizontal courses displaced laterally from one another, said :conduit systemhaving outlets thereinand upwardly-inclined;

portionswterminating at their opposite ends in.

saidvertically disposed housings; rotary conveyor supports mounted-in said housings on horizontal axes of rotation, a drive chain having pivot members: and links loosely connected thereto disposed in saidi'conduit systemand extending .around said rotary supports, said links being -freelyslidably axially along said pivot members, sealing members;

of elastic. deformable material mounted on said pivot members-in sealing engagement with said links,- substantially circular flights connected ec-. centricallyito said-chain at intervals therea-long,

compression members engaging and urging-said" links axially, along saidpivot members into seal-- ingengagement with said sealing members and spring; devices connected to said pivot members. andengaging'and urging said links axial-1y into. sealing-engagement with said-sealing members;

18. A flight conveyor for a conveyor conduit of: circular cross-sectioncomprising; a drive chain havingpivot members and links interconnected thereby, and substantially :circular discconVeyor flights connected to said chain at intervalsthere along eccentricallyof said flights, saidlinks having. excessively enlarged holes of-materially greatersizes' :tha-nsaidpivot members, said' holes loosely;

apparatus comprising .a' pair of vertically-disposed:conveyor housings loreceiving said pivot members and said members at their opposite ends having retaining elements. 1

of materially greater widths than the diameters of said pivot members, whereby to permit tor sional twisting of said chain and permit the. weight thereof to rotate said flights into upright positions while said retaining elements retain said links and pivot members in assembly.

HENRY W. HAPMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Number Date Pollock Sept. 19, 1893 18 Name Date Levalley Dec. 18, 1900 Dodge May 24, 1904 James Dec. 13, 1904 Dodge Oct. 20, 1908 Taylor Sept. 4, 1917 Mojonnier May 12, 1931 Bremer Nov. '7, 1933 Mackenzie Apr. 3, 1934 Davis Mar. 8, 1938 Dellenbach July 19, 1938 Hapman Mar. 25, 1941 Hyman et a1 Mar. 17, 1942 Hapman June 23, 1942 Brunner Sept. 4, 1945 Searles et al Nov. 27, 1945 Hait Nov. 19, 1946 

